Wrist exerciser



Feb. 2, 1954 SHARP ETAL 2,668,055

wRIsT ExERcIsER Filed sept. 19, 195o Ti L7. 1. i j@ ze 0 27461; f7 i 39 49 3 o llo 'a 4 202e 22 lull" nu 45 :E 7. 1U. T17 vv @45 T" 7 94 f a vlNVENToRs:

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BY .Zef'a/yv 177 0K/VE X vPatented F eb. 2, 1954 Li UNITED STATES PATENT gori-lcs ALewis' Simp 'and Albert sharp,

` vrHuntington Park, Calif.

Application September 19, 1950, Serial No. 185,544

n 1-1 claims. (C1. 272-68) `The present invention relates to a devicefor exercising the wrist and arm muscles and has for its object to provide an exercising device ofthe type referred to which may be used without placing a load on the shoulderm'uscles. In such devices of the type herein considered which have come to our notice, a rod hasbeen provided on which a drum has been mounted and a weight is Vheld suspended from this drum. While a device of this type may be beneficial to the development of the wrist muscles itis also found that the load imposedy upon the arm and shoulder muscles will largely counteract thebenei-lts to the wrist muscles or at least compel the user to lay aside the device for extended vrest periods during the exercising operation.

It is in view of the foregoing the particular object of the invention is torprovide a wrist exercising device to which no weight is attached and which is so light that it can be handled by any person without any strain on the arm and shoulder muscles. device which may be held in any desired position by the hands of the operator thereby further adding to the benefits of the use thereof. It may for instance be desired at the beginning to hold the exerciser in the hands with the elbow against the sides of the body then gradually to extend the arms horizontally and little by little to swing the4 arms vertically above the head while 'all the time moving the hands on the device for the proper operation thereof.

These and other objects of the invention will appear from the following detailed description particularly when reference is had to the accompanying -drawing in which a preferred form of the invention is illustrated.

' In lthe drawing:

Fig. 1 is a general view of a device embodying the invention and with parts thereof brokeny away for the sake of clearness;

Fig. 2 is a substantially corresponding crosssectional view through the longitudinal center of the device and taken at right angles to Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken substantiallyr on line 3-3 of Fig. l in direction of the arrow;

Fig. 4 is a similar view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 1 in the direction of the arrow;

Figs. 5, 6 and '7 show detailsof the construe? weer.' Y

devicel the importance of which will hereinafter n It is a further object to provide a- The device of the invention as illustrated in the drawing consists essentially of tubular members I, 2, which may be and preferably are of the same length and diameter. These members serve to support tubular hand grips 3, 4 which also may be identically shaped and the outer endsof which are inwardly extended to provide end walls 5, 5 coming .to rest .against the ends of the tubular members I, 2. Between the tubular members is placeda spacer IB which as best shown in Fig. 6 is centrally perforated to provide a squared passage II for a rod I2 of a size and shape tot snugly within this passage. On this rod is placed a plurality of discs I3, see also Fig. 7, the central perforations I4 of which are similarly shaped i'lttingly to ride on the rod I2. Diametrically opposed lips I5, I6 project from the periphery of the discs for engagement with recesses I l, I8 at the inner end of the member 2, as best shown in Fig. 4. A cap 20 isshaped to nt snugly over the end of the hand grip 4 and a threaded stud 2| extends through a central vperforation of this cap for engagement with internal, screw threads of the rod I2. The stud is Yrigidly secured to an outer cap 22, which latter is rotatable on the inner cap 20 for the purpose of adjusting the device to modify operation thereof as will be fully described presently. In order to reduce friction between the outer and inner caps, it is found advantageous to place a metal washer I9 between these parts.

The tubular member I is operatively connected with the member 2 in the following manner. The rod I2 is extended a distance into the member I to form a support for aseries of washers 23 having rectangular passages 24 therethrough of a size to slide ttingly on the rod, see also Fig. l0. Between these washers are placed discs 25, the central passages 26 of which n are circular and of a diameter to slide ttingly on therod, see Fig. 5. These discs are, like the disc I3, provided with opposed diametrically projecting lips 2l, 28 of a size to ride within axially directed recesses 29, 30 at the inner end of the member I.

All of the aforenamed washers and discs are maintained in operative position on the rodA I2 in any suitable manner, as by means of cotter keys 33, 34 of the rod, and they are arranged in such axially spaced relation to each other between these keys that no pressure is normally exerted against these parts. From this it follows that the grips 3 and4 may be manually, freely rotated. in ,oppositedirection but it is also found that, when the cap 22 is rotated to cause the stem 2| to advance into the rod, the latter will be axially moved to cause the cotter key 33 to commence to draw the washers 23 and discs 25 toward the central spacer I0 thereby to create friction between these Washers and discs tending to resist relative rotation of the members of the device. It is in this manner possible gradually to increase this frictional resistance Vas required for the required exercise of the Wrist and arm muscles.

The washers 23 and the spacer l0 should be made from :ber or other material of sulcient resilience to respond to fine rotative adjustment of the cap 22. The discs I3 and 25 should, onfthe other hand, be made from relatively hard material such as steel or other suitable metalc It is at the end of the rod, to place a small metal washer 36 in front thereof, against which the cotter key 33 comes tn rest.

As above stated, very fine rotative adjustment of the cap 22 is sufficient materially to increase frictional resistance between the washers and discs within the device. It has been `found advantageous in orderto assist'the user inproperlyv adjusting the tension of thedeviceto suit particular exercise requirements to place on the end surface of the outer cap 22 indicating means in the form of a dial which is graduated into a specified number of units, there being in the present case 36 units represented by the numerals 5 to 3E Yindicated in Fig. 8. Unit graduations 38 may be placed along the inner edge of the cap for registration with a pointer 3.9 on the outer-surface of the cap 20, substantially as .indicated in Fig. l.

It was above stated that the cap 22 is rotatable to draw the Washers and discs against the central spacer lil. It is, however, required to provide additional means for maintaining the washersend discs in position within the `member I. The latter is for this purpose shown made with a Yrecess 46 circumferentially extending from the side edge of the recess 2t a short distance laway from the end of the member. LAIt is tobe understood that there is a similar recess4 I- onthe other side of the member, las indicated in dotted outline in Fig. l. In assembling the device, it is merely required first to mount al1 of the Washers and discs in position on the rod I2 and to lock them in position thereon by means of the cotter keys 33, 34. The rod assembly may then be pushed into the member I, causing the lips-*of-'thediscs 2'5'toenter the recesses 29, 30 of the member until v.the lips of the disc 25e nearest the spacer I0 reach a position of registration with the recesses 40, 4I. It is then merely required Ato apply a pointed tool to one of these lipsand'to -apply pressurethereto to rotate the disc Yuntil the lips-enter into and become completely seated within `the recesses 40, 4I.

An additional disc 45 is placed adjacent tothe spacer I and the lips of this disc are bent inwardly, substantially as indicated at46 in Fig. `2, a distance sufficient to reach across the. disc 25e, behind the lips thereof. The disc y25a is in vthis manner held locked in position within 'the circumferential recesses40, 4I of theitubular member. The disc 45, which is best shown in Fig. 9, may in al1 other respects be identical with the disc 25.

Upon completion of the above describedoperation of-assembling the washers anddiscs on the rod I2 and before these parts are inserted into the tubular member I, it becomes necessary to mount the hand grip A3 in positionthereon. `VTft is required for this purpose rst to -place within 4 the hand grip a metal washer 48. A cap 49 is seated on the end of the hand grip 3 and it is suitably locked in position thereon. Illustrative of such means, We have shown a rivet extended through the cap, the end Wall 5 of the hand grip and the washer 48. The hand grip may then be pressed into position on the member I, to be maintained in position thereon by the `resilience of the rubber composition. The assembling operations may then be completed as above out- Vlined.

After the device has been completely assembled, it is required to adjust the parts thereof to provide a desired initial degree of friction between the two ends thereof; whereupon the cap 20 should be rotated -on the grip 4 to bring the pointer 39 into registration with the zero (or 36) graduation on the outercap 22. Since the cap 2B is tightly tted on the end of the soft rubber grip, it maybe diflicultsoto rotate .the cap anditm-ay be foundadvantageous to provide a perforation at or in place of the pointer 39 of ka sizeto receive therein a Spanner Wrench, Vby means of which the operation of Aadjusting thecap maybe greatly facilitated.

:It is seen from the foregoing description that we have provided a very light andsensitive-device which is convenient to operate and readily adinstable by the user. But'Whfile we have illustrateda preferred formof the invention, Tit is not intended thereby to limit the invention fto vthe particular arrangements, proportions 'f and shapes shown, but we reserve'the right to embody modications Within the Scope of the claims hereto appended.

We claim:

1. A portable `.Wrist exerciser comprising `two' cylindrical L.tubular members placed end to end and of substantially uniform diameter throughout thelen'gth rof Ythe exerciser, mea/ns sea/table within saidV members to maintain the members axially interconnected for relative rotation in-opposite directions, said Ameans including a stem Within one member-extending a'distance -into the other member, the latter having axially 4directed recesses in the inner end nthereof, va series `of discs on said stem 'held-against rotation Within the `recess of said other member, a series of friction Washers between said discs and held against rotation on said stem, and externally operable means connected with the stem for moving said discs and washers into frictional engagement'vvith each other thereby increasingly to -resist `relative rotation of the twomembers.

2. A vportable Wrist exerciser comprising jtWo cylindrical tubular members placed end to 'end and of substantially uniform diameter-throughout the length of the 'exerciseig means seatable within said members to maintain the members axially interconnected 'for relative rotation .in opposite directions, said imeans 'including `a stem within one member extending `a distance into'the other member, the'latter having axially directed recesses the inner end thereof, Vand slots circumferentially extendingfrom said recesses near the inner end of 'the member, a series of discs having lips seatable in said `recesses to maintain the'discs'unturnedwithin the member, the innermost 'discreachinga position of registration with said slots when the discs are seated in the member for Arotating movement of Aits lips ,intosa'id slots to check-axialfmovement of-the discswithin the member, a series of 'friction Washers between and externally operable means for moving 'said discs and washers against said innermost disc and in frictional engagement with each other thereby increasingly to resist relative rotation of the two members.

3. A portable wrist exerciser comprising two cylindrical tubular members placed end to end and of substantially uniform diameter throughout the length of the exerciser, means seatable within said members to maintain the members axially interconnected for relative rotation in opposite directions, said means including a stem within one member extending a distance into the other member, the latter having axially directed recesses in the inner end thereof, and slots circumferentially extending from said recesses near the inner end of the member, a series of discs having lips seatable in said recesses to maintain the discs unturned within the member, the innermost disc reaching a position of registration with said slots when the discsv are seated in the member for rotating movement of its lips into said slots to check axial movement of the discs within the member, a series of friction Washers between said discs and held against rotation on said stem, externally operable means for moving said discs and washers against said innermost disc and in frictional engagement with each other thereby increasingly to resist relative rotation of the two members, and means for locking the innermost disc against return rotation.

4. A portable wrist exerciser comprising two cylindrical tubular members placed end to end and of substantially uniform diameter throughout the length of the exerciser, means seatable within said members to maintain the members axially interconnected for relative rotation in opposite directions, said means including a stem within one member extending a distance into the other member, said stem being internally threaded, a series of discs on said stem held against rotation within said other member, a series of friction washers between said discs and held against rotation on said stem, a screw in the end of the first named member seated in the threads of the stem, and a cap on said screw, said cap being rotatable on the end of the member to move the stem axially to bring the discs and washers into frictional engagement with each other thereby increasingly to resist relative rotation of the two members.

5. A portable wrist exerciser of substantially uniform cylindrical shape throughout the length thereof, the exerciser comprising right and left members, means seatable within the exerciser to maintain the two members axially interconnected for relative rotation in opposite directions, said means including a stem within the right member extending a distance into the left member, a series of discs on said stem held against rotation within said left member, a series of friction washers between said discs, said washers being held against rotation on said stem, and externally operable means connected with the stem for moving said discs and washers into frictional engagement with each other thereby increasingly to resist relative rotation of the two members.

6. A portable wrist exerciser of substantially uniform cylindrical shape throughout the length thereof, the exerciser comprising right and left members, means seatable within the exerciser to maintain the two members axially interconnected for relative rotation in opposite directions, said means including a stem within the right member and extending a distance into the left member, a

within` said left member, a series of friction-y washers between said discs, said washers being held against rotation on said stem, means for retaining said discs and washers axially in closely spaced relation to each other, and externally operable means for moving said stem to bring said discs and washers into frictional engagement with each other thereby increasingly to resist relative rotation of the `two members.

7. A portable wrist exerciser of substantiallyv uniform cylindrical shape throughout the length thereof,.the exerciser comprising right and left members, means seatable within the exerciser to maintain the two members axially interconnected for relative rotation in opposite directions, said means including a stem within the right memberand extending a distance into the left member, a spacer on the stem between'the abutting inner ends of the tubular members, a series of discs on said stem held against rotation within said left member, a series of friction washers between said discs, said washers being held against rotation on said stem, means for maintaining said discs and washers. axially in closely spaced relation' to each other, and externally operable means for moving said stem to bring the discs and washers against said spacerand into frictionalV engagement with each other thereby increasingly to resist relative rotation of the two members.

8. A portable wrist exerciser of substantially uniform cylindrical shape throughout the length thereof, the exerciser comprising right and left members, means seatable within the exerciser to maintain the two members axially interconnected for relative rotation in opposite directions, said means including a stem within the right member extending a distance into the left member, the latter having axially directed recesses in the inner end thereof, a series of discs on said stem held against rotation within the recesses of said left member, a series of friction washers between said discs, said washers being held against rotation on said stem, and externally operable means connected with the stem for moving said discs and washers into frictional engagement with each other thereby increasingly to resist relative rotation of the two members.

9. A portable wrist exerciser of substantially uniform cylindrical shape throughout the length thereof, the exerciser comprising right and left members, means seatable within the exerciser to maintain the two members axially interconnected for relative rotation in opposite directions, said means including a stem within the right member extending a distance into the left member, the latter having axially directed recesses in the inner end thereof and slots circumferentially extending from said recesses near the inner end of the member, a series of discs having lips seatable in said recesses to maintain the disc unturned within the member, the innermost disc reaching a position of registration with said slots when the discs are seated in the member for rotating movement of its lips into said slots to check axial movement of the disc within the member, a series of friction washers between said discs, said washers being held against rotation on said stem, and externally operable means for moving said discs and washers against said innermost disc and in frictional engagement with each other thereby increasingly to resist relative rotation of the two series of discs on said stem held against rotation thereof, the exerciser comprising right and left me'ibers, neas-'Seatable within the exercise? to maintamtheftwomembers axialiyfimereonrxeoted for relative rrotation im yopposite dirent-iena, said means l'ineiding a stem within the .rightmember extending a distancezinto Ythe leftvmember, l:the latterfhavingaxiaiiyldireoted reeessesiitthe inner end thereof and `siete cireumferemiailyextending from .said recesses 'near them-ner zedfofthe member, a series of discs having lipsssea'tableiflnisaid recessesftomainta'in.thezdiscaunturriedwithin the member, V.theinnermost @disc ireaeliing 'a position of yregistration withesaid vslots-when 'the `dises are seated in' tliememfher 'for remt-ingr movement of its r lips intosaid slotsatorsneek amalmovement Aof the disc within the;member, .asseries .ofifr'etion washers between :said ildises, washers being held against rotation. .on said stem, Aexternally operablezmeans for movingfsaid :discs'and .washers against said innermost :dise and' nzfrictional .en-

gagement with Aeach.:miller J:thereby yil'icreasingly' to resistirelative rotationofthe -two members, and means :for Ylocclsing `'innermestdisc 'against/re- Vtum, rotation.

`11.A portable wrist-iexenciser of sttlastantiallyV uniform cylindrical :shape fthroughout the length 25 thereof, thelexercisericomprisingright and left members, :means 'seatable withm the ..exerciser `to 8, maintainthe-two memberslaxially interconneeted for relative rotation in opposite directions, said means including a stem `within the rightfmember extending a distance into the left member, said stem being internally threaded, a series of discs oiisaid stem held against rotation within said left niember,a series-of friction washers between said-diseasaid washers being held against rotation on said stem, aY screw in the end of the right member vseated in the threads of the stem, and a' capvon'said screw, said cap beingrotatable on-the end of the-member to move the stem axially to bring the discs and washers into `frie'tional engagement with eachother thereby increasingly to resist relative rotation of the two'members.

" LEWIS' SHARP.

ALBERT SHARP.

References Cite in the le O'f 'this partent UNITED SIl'IES PATENTS 

